Professor Clinton? Harvard wants Hillary

Harvard University has reached out to Secretary of State Hillary Clinton about joining its faculty as a visiting professor, but is just one of several colleges eager to land the former first lady.

Clinton is a sought-after commodity. Harvard’s John F. Kennedy School of Government would like her to join the faculty in whatever capacity she desires. The university has previously invited politicians such as former Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa, former New Mexico Gov. Bill Richardson and former Florida Gov. Jeb Bush to become guest lecturers and visiting professors at the Kennedy School. (RELATED: Corrupt former mayor right at home teaching at Harvard)

Harvard even offers the Angelopoulos Fellowship, a teaching, lecturing and research position designed for leaders transitioning out of politics, according to the Harvard Crimson. Former President Bill Clinton announced the creation of the fellowship in 2011. Former Mexican President Felipe Calderon is currently serving as the first Angelopoulos Fellow, but will leave the position later this year, paving the way for Clinton.

But if Harvard wants Hillary, it has to get in line. New York University, Yale and other colleges have also made offers.

Baruch College, a senior college of the City University of New York, has offered the biggest perk. Administrators will alter the college’s public policy program and name the new school after Clinton if she agrees to join the faculty.

“A number of academic institutions have reached out with ideas,” said Clinton spokesman Nick Merrill. “We’re following up with each to discuss them.”

Marty Linsky, an adjunct public policy lecturer at Harvard, said that Clinton would be a welcome presence at the university, even if she ended up running for president.

“Obviously she’d be a tremendous asset, given her experience, and it would be great for our students and great for us on the faculty,” she said in a statement to the University Herald. “There’ve been presumptive presidential candidates here before. I don’t think it would be a problem at all.”

Commentators noted that a position in academia could serve as either a relatively cushy retirement for Clinton, or a springboard for her presidential campaign, should she chose to run.